Pro Tools Window Configurations

One of my new favorite functions in Pro Tools is Window Configurations. Even though it was a new feature in Pro Tools 7.3, it wasn’t implemented into my everyday workflow until recently. What a timesaver. Window configurations can store Mix Window display settings, Edit Window Display settings, Transport Window Display settings, and Window layouts together or individually.

There are up to 99 different window configurations per session and they can be imported with the import session data command. Some useful window configurations I use include Edit window displays that have the Track show/hide and regions list being shown or hidden, Mix Window displays with different sends being shown, and mix plug-in windows such as: Main Reverbs, Main Delays, Special Effects, Lead Vocal Plug-ins, Kick Drum plug-ins, Snare Drum plug-ins, Drum Group plug-ins, etc. Window configurations can be found under the Window Menu, or by pressing Option + Command + ”J”(Mac), or Control + Alt + ”J”(Win).

The shortcuts are very similar to memory locations and are as follows: Period(.) + Number(1-99) + Plus(+) - To store a New window configuration into a specific location. Period(.) + Number(1-99) + Asterisk(*) - To recall a specific window configuration. Period(.) + Number(0) + Asterisk(*) - To revert or undo a recalled window configuration back to previous state. In use, window configurations can be recalled individually with the Period(.) + Number(1-99) + Asterisk(*) shortcut, or can be saved and recalled within a memory location. Give window configurations a little time to get used to, and you’ll be surprised how much time you’ll save after implementing them into your everyday workflow.